Opposition United Party for National Development UPND vice president for politics Canisius Banda has observed that government’s decision to ban entry for people coming from countries where Ebola has broken out is against international health regulations.
Dr. Banda says this is especially that the World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday this week declared the outbreak of the virus in East Africa a global public health emergency of immense concern.
Dr. Banda has told Qfm news in an interview that with such a declaration that is guided by the international health regulations it means that all WHO member states, which include Zambia, should ensure that people continue enjoying their freedoms and their economies remaining active and vibrant.
He says it is for this reason why the decision that the Zambian government has made to ban entry would be seen as a hostile measure by countries whose citizens have been banned to enter Zambia besides the Zambian economy itself missing out on foreign investments.
The UPND vice president notes that his party holds the position that the Patriotic Front (PF) government should instead focus on ensuring that there is intra-country capacity for management of the Ebola virus by sustaining security at Zambia’s boarders.
He has advised that government should also ensure that there is trained staff are stationed at these points of entry with the right tools to screen people entering and leaving Zambia.
The opposition leader says government should further ensure that containment facilities and medical and surgical supply are put in place.
He adds the Ministry of Health should also provide containment guidelines for Ebola and that citizens too need to be sensitized about the virus.
Dr.Kasonde, Minister of Health has clarified that earlier message on the ban was erroneous. He now says Govt has just issued a travel advisory memo……it is Don’t Kubeba all the way with this PF government…cluesless, no direction at all….
Apa pena Ba Dr Banda mwatena. Don’t just oppose for the sake of opposing naimwe. Be realistic. Do you want Zambia to be infected with Ebola? Pamenso ububi!!!
Do you guys in the opposition have the interest of Zambia at heart really?
Typical of the opposition in Africa.They just have to opposite because it is coming from PF.
Okay fumigate any one entering the country.Lolest
BA OPPOSITION NIBA SKANKA PA…YA.
In the bible it says do onto others what you would want them to do to you….if ebola was in Zambia and some of you wanted to flee to south Africa, u.k or any other country for better health services or jus to breathe fresh air in a different environment or for school or business and the told you your country was blacklisted because of the pandemic and you cannot go because you might be suspected of carrying it.Would you think its fair? I pose this to @ MM Le Grand Patron Wa Zambanga, @peter, @big brains
Caniscius bwanji yapping anyhow?? Maybe you should be lecturing to the Airlines that have stopped flying into the hotzone; The govts that have introduced quarantine aound some villages – lecture to them about freedom of travel etc etc!
A Ban is not out of place especially if we know that our internal capacity to deal with an outbreak is very much below par
In 2009 we didn’t have that Canicius Banda, atleast he was not at our PF-UPND pact meeting. He has to go where he came from, he is embarrassing the elite UPND.
Jeesh the level of fonteenism is astonishing among most bloggers here. The guy is saying a travel ban is against guidelines and international diplomacy even with the danger of Ebola. (Read WHO guidelines). By simply declaring this entry ban it’s most likely that nobody has actually thought about what happens if a case does come through. Do we have the infrastructure, resources or knowledge pool to deal with this? Have the relevant agencies I.e Health, ZEMA and border control actually met to discuss strategies or contingencies? That’s what this chap is wanting to highlight. The title is misleading and he has probably been taken out of context. I would have thought some of the “educated” and universal experts with the their dull, pompous, biased peanuts would have detected this.
You are really sad. Developed countries have banned flights and u think it is a joke? Get a grip . Dont just hate.
“LOL”, talk about “Fontinism”, what does ZEMA have to do with ebola??
Atleast once in a while appreciate th poor finishers(PF) iwe chi banda. Prevention is better than
Cure.
PF has got no clue whatsover on how a government should be run let alone handling this ebola eperndemic. That is what happens when you come into government on a platform of lying. Scared little men as KK used to call them. We cant wait for 2016
Bitter pill. Opposing anything. You will be humiliated in 2016. Watch my space.
Bwana China u are clueless.
Dr. Banda, what these guys have done is in the best interest of the country. I don’t agree with them on most matters but this one, we need to agree as it protects our citizens. Other countries can manage to contain this outbreak even with the basic WHO guidelines but not with us. For us, prevention is better than cure!
@ Faza Roberto, the Minister says the media got it wrong. There was no ban, just at travel advisory…I am the change was after orienting himself with international regulation
What the government has done is not in the best interest of the nation. People must understand that we live in global village guided by rules. What the government has done s an indication that it has n clue of containing the Ebola. No clue at all, but shut the country. A country that sends road accident victims to be treated in a foreign country has its health service under ICU.
So what iwe chi Banda ? Waba ifimyefu.Bushe chinshi chakushupalila ukubeya ? Awe mune ifiko ifi fyachila.
Iwe Dr. Banda manje you are just barking? First you said the PF government was not doing enough on Ebola, they go ahead to institute some measures and now you are saying the measures are against international norm. Ufuna ciani Mambala iwe? Sometimes it easy better to keep quiet when you have nothing to say. The statement you made was it approved by UPND? And Puliz gelako ndebvu. Ndevu zako ziza bweretsa Ebola.
Dr. Banda has told Qfm news in an interview that with such a declaration that is guided by the international health regulations it means that all WHO member states, which include Zambia, should ensure that people continue enjoying their freedoms and their economies remaining active and vibrant.
…..WHO member states, which include Zambia, should ensure that people continue enjoying their freedoms and their economies remaining active and vibrant.
Which part are you not clear.Nichizungu or you have a thick skull?
Even if UPND has turned into professional opposers, ths is position underlines their simplistic way of provdg checks & balances.
At least PF used to raise sensible arguments. Most of the comments canicious makes are either misplaced or just parroting the PF’s under implementation program. Not too long ago he was condemng th PF for not comg up with paramedicl vans to aid accident victims wen it was the PF which had long muted the idea & had at the tim of th statemt already procured those vans & had even employed & trained personnel wt the launch scheduled for the followg day. That’s why I call these guys in UPND politcl novices as well as ostriches. Becos whic sane individual wd condem govt’s mov consdrg that even stronger economies lik Nigeria are struggling to…
WHO member states, which include Zambia, should ensure that people continue enjoying their freedoms and their economies remaining active and vibrant.
Which part are you not clear.Nichizungu or you have a thick skull?
@ Red Square,
Enjoying thier freedom in the Grave ayi? Let your family be the first to show WHO how enjoyaeble that freedom can be, ship them to west africa for starters waulfwa?!!
@ Chikomera
you have cracked my ribs laughing!
But the Dr was a senior medical officer in the ministry of Health just 3 years ago.
Let him tell us what he left in terms of training on Ebola virus medication and treatment in the ministry. It is easier to talk than doing.
Yesterday he says the government is doing nothing, they do something again he says they are wrong so what does he want?
He should not cheat that it is against anything to stop people moving from an area with an epidemic. We remember during cholera, which Dr Banda left and People has wiped out, the government used to make sure people don’t move from cholera areas to where there wasn’t.
This guys are just barking like D.O.Gs
For all of you who are insulting Canisius can you please tell me what would then happen to a Zambian who was arriving in Zambia from Liberia? Do you know how many Zambians are in West Africa. Is it practical to effect an entry ban on every one traveling from all West Africa.
The fact that in the entire world you are the only people to issue a travel ban should surely ring a bell that there is something amiss. Dr Banda is educating you and you are busy saying don’t oppose.
Fima Zambian mwenso. Just to rush to say close all borders. Where on earth. And most of these cowards are men. Let west Africans come, they can’t all be sick please. Nangu am precautions sure
When the pandemic is over, then government will lift the ban immediately. The ban is intended at protecting and securing national boundaries. Remember, the cost of treatment is extremely high and prohibitive. If you are very concerned, then just volunteer to treat patients in West Africa.
What the f is this unkempt chap saying? Zambia is ours to protect and we should do whatever it takes. This !d10t will be the first one to say I told you so. Please go away and do something important with yourself! Getting rid of that Savimbi look would be a good start!
Zambia is on sky news today and the big story is that it has banned entry of west Africans. It’s not necessary to close entry, let’s just find modern & civilized ways of handling the issue. Ba Kasonde, but you know there is a provision for retirement and resignation in your contract ka. Only that you won’t head north coz Chitimukulu won’t welcome you.
Kwena some politicians pa Zed are always out of context and lack Situation analysis skills. Dr. Banda’s reasoning is so shallow that one wonders if this Savimbi replica is really a medical doctor. When we are talking about Ebola, we are not talking about a political popularity contest, we are talking about a very serious issue. If relatives of the affected individual in Liberia are leaving their dear ones to die in the streets then that should make DR. Conelius or Canicius whatever they call him to think twice. You think those who said prevention is better than cure were fools. indeed if you have nothing to say just keep quite because on this one you have missed it. Some of you Doctors should be considering refresher courses……
Prevention is better than cure? But who says prevention is just waking up and closing borders. Can you please start thinking outside the box, you are stuck in that box. And that you are the only country in the world to close out west Africans means you are smart? You will just end up isolating yourselves with your panic mode of doing things
i agree 110% with you. They need to start thinking outside the box and stop thinking they smart. Decipher some major decisions they take and you’ll only conclude that young fresh blood with exposed ideals is what is required to take zambia forward.
Iwe Henry Chibwe…prevention can be any action taken regarding a prevailing situation. so it can even be what PF government has done. And for your own information no one woke up and closed the boarders. When it comes to thinking outside the box which you are talking about some of us we are so many kilometers away from the box. May be its you and your hero Dr. C. Banda who are trapped under the WHO box. Ebola does not know those who policies that Dr. Banda has memorized from A to Z.
Pathetic. Zambia lacks great advisers. Iam a zambian myself and often feel greatly ashamed with some degrading policies they come up with . I can assure you that the hype around this is because some west african countries are involved. Why is it that there seems to be a subtle underlying hatred for these countries. I agree that the epidemic has to be controlled but surely not in this manner. Maybe other countries should ban AIDS stricken people from their borders. Then we’ll see where zambia stands. Instead of hating, tap into what makes them great and see if our country will not improve. There are loads of great things happening on these shores which zambia nevers seems to see. Is it only the negative that exists or is there ‘jealousy’ somewhere in there. I WONDER !!
Iwe chi tembo nichani dunderhead iwe????!
But Temboç you are thick in the head or your brain is too slippery?
How do you feel ashamed to be Zambian because it’s not on the level of the developed nations? You chaps are the ones who disowner your parents because they are poor! Silly chap, boycott everything Zambian including LT, Nsanya iwe!
wen we say UPND ar under5 dis is wat we mean. surely how do u opose everythn? one wonder wat they up to n their stance.
petty politic and very childish.
I have just returned from Monrovia working for an NGO. People are going about their businesses and just washing with chlorine to ensure they are safe. Yes the pandemic is there but people are now aware of precautions. We should panic but not to the extent of closing borders. As more people are now becoming aware the death rate will come down . I am heading back to Liberia in two weeks time. Thanks
George uletinokuti elyo wafuminefye ku west Africa kwati kutashiwa. wikatuletela pamulandu wakuseya kobe. You are the ones who are opposing the good measures this government is trying to put in place because of your kakwendo munjila. Kindly surrender yourself to relevant authority and possibly get quarantined without fail.
That may be so but I think on this occasion it is understandable. This virus is going to clear Africa. Please stop politicking, I believe this unprecedented pattern of new infection areas justifies the decision. I would hope that when or if you guys come into power, you too will take brave decisions that will protect Zambia as much as possible.
We know you freemason satanists thrive on blood. An ebola outbreak in Zambia would be the perfect feast for you and your demon leader (HH). No wonder they call him Hungry Hyena. Hungry for power, thirsty for blood, who needs these pieces of cow dang scum? Useless Party of Nincoompoop Dogs (UPND)
According to this Congolese skull, HH and where he hails from are best summed…..’who needs these pieces of cow dang scum?’
I keep saying it, the North occupied by congolese with their inborn theft, racism and everything evil have nothing in common with the South.
UPND wants Ebola in Zambia. Nigeria is in deep sh.t today with Ebola because they allowed free entry of people from infected countries.
Dear Sir’s,
You forget Ebola is really a disease common to DRC.
Ebola is a disease that was first discovered in the great lakes. Clearly this
UPND is clueless and full of diarrhoea of the mouth. UK has put restrictions. They oppose anything regardless of how sensible it is as long as it’s coming from PF govt. PF has the mandate to protect the citizenry by all means. Prevention is better than kill. This is party in total denial and bitter with very sensible thing because them it’s about shooting their shit like Hungry Hyena afraid of its shadow. They think they are too educated but full of garbage. They claimed their cabinet will be small but this party with two Vice Presidents. Madness ngombe ilede – at self deception
Shallow thinking from PF uneducated cadres (as per Kabimba statement and foolish PF ministers as told by president Sata), no country has banned nationals from countries where Ebola has broken out. It is against international law, even here in Europe and Britain in particular have not put a ban. All what has happened is flights to and from these countries have been suspended, measures put in place for screening people who come from these affected countries. This is the same in America where one doctor has been flown back to America after being infected as was treating Ebola patients in Africa. Read again the context of Dr Banda’s commets or go for night school comprehension lessons.
Vima Zambian in vamantha bu. let’s see the reaction of diplomats from west Africa. Retaliation-revoke zambeef license in Ghana & Nigeria. Send the over 100 Zambian UN personnel back to zambia from Liberia etc etc
If every country behaves like Zambia, you won’t be able to go anywhere since AIDS/HIV is rife in Zambia. People calm downand try to understand what Banda is saying. In fact all countries should immediately ban all Zambians due to stupidity as displayed here.
ZAMBIANS ARE AVERSE TO THINKING
And in west Africa the deaths are mostly in rural areas where people are not educated on the disease. I repeat you can only get Ebola from a person who is acutely sick, meaning the guy is dying on his bed. Of course what is important is to test people coming to see if it’s in the incubation stage. But it can’t wipe Africa because for you to get it from some body you can visibly see that the guy is sick. You can’t catch Ebola in the 21 days incubation stage, that is why I believe what doctors are saying that it is a very manageable disease with the right resources.
Zambia the most innovative country. The only country to have banned people from west Africa entering the country. And people still argue that it was the right descision. Ebola has been pa chipi chipi pa Congo before & never wiped us out & should only wipe us out now. Be serious for once
The problem that is becoming clear is that UPND have no clear vision or message. Their aim is power hunger at whatever cost. That is why they are commenting on evrything without a clear position.
Free advise. Please go for a retreat and reorganize yourselves. You are embarrassing some of us who supported you.
Everyone, remember what Zambia’s Rep at the WHO; Zambia’s not prepared to fight the virus only a few weeks ago. Now he should know better than most if we can fight this. It does not matter about retaliation from our neighbours. Who wants to eat Zambeef when it could be FRUITBAT! Containing this is more important by border closures.
@Mbalala: Past Ebola epidemics in DRC has broken out in remote, rural places without international travel such as kikit. The travel logistics & DRC govt has been very proactive in quarantining such areas. But the West Africans have been TOO SLOW largely due to the attitudes about “economy” such as Canisius Banda’s. West African countries are only closing borders now (Guinea, check BBC) & yet the disease broke out 5 months ago March 2014. Had Guinea closed its borders in March the Africa will not be sitting with is Ebola catastrophe! Ebola outbreak is in capitals like Monrovia, Lagos, etc with international air travel. BA has cancelled flights. Just imagine Ebola breaking out in Lusaka & Kitwe with all the STREET VENDING ACTIVITY ! UPND MUITAYA MWEKA CHABE! Blame…
Does Canisius know how many Zambians travel per week to seek healing prayers from TB Joshua in Lagos using Ethopian airways and the inhygenic conditions in which they live whilst they are in Lagos to allow this possible cross contamination to thrive? It is obvious that this man has decided to exchange his medical training for political stup*d*tdy. KK used to say st*pid id*ots (Zambians) & I used to get offended but NOW I understand! Canisius is one such st*pid id*ot! My apolgies for using foul language but I cannot find a better way to express my thoughts/assessment!
To break down the argument. How many Zambians travelled to Kikwit in DRC to trade in monkey/game meat when Ebola broke out? Literally, Zero despite Zambia sharing a border with DRC. And now how many Zambians work Liberia & sierra leonne ( a number of skilled miners/technicians from Sandvik Tamrock/independent, engineers technicians work there! How many ordinary zedians seek prayers from TB Joshua in Nigeria (plenty). All Ebola needs is a hand shake or or sexual encounter in one of these capitals to bring Ebola to to Zed.
Zambia you are crazy
The same mandevu Banda will turn around tomorrow if and when the disease breaks out in Zambia, condemning government for not having taken the necessary steps. UPND is going nowhere!
“GUINEA has announced that it is to close borders with Sierra Leone and Liberia in an desperate attempt to halt the continuing spread of the world’s worst outbreak of Ebola.” *****************
To date the incurable disease – which has spread through Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea and Nigeria – has infected over 1,779 people.
WHO Director general Margaret Chan said: “The outbreak is moving faster than we can control it”.
British Airways and Emirates have responded to the ongoing outbreak by grounded flights to West African disease hotspots in an effort to protect its staff and passengers.”
Banda is not been practical, Zambia shares borders with many countries and it is almost impossible to guard every Km of the border. Just because WHO says something, it does not mean that every country has to follow want they say. In most European countries, you cannot enter or get a visa if you are HIV positive. When you look at Sierra leone and Zambia, there is no trade or investment to talk about! Sometimes positive segregation is good for prevention! It only take one person to eat the infected monkey meat to start the spread of the virus, banning people from the affected region is a form quarantine, even countries apply it within their borders. The ban should be maintained until the Ebola outbreak is contained.
The honourable Dr is absolutely right. Typical of the PF government, they have reacted to the Ebola crisis without thinking things through( CNP mentality). Yes we need to take measures against the spread of Ebola but why rush to plan B without trying the containment strategy. Imagine if some countries banned Zambians from entering their countries to curtail the spread of yellow fever or AIDS, how would you feel? Political, security and economical factors should be taking onto consideration before rushing into knee jerk political appeasement reactions? In the end it is Zambia that is going to lose out if we are not careful.
Baseball watchdog it’s West not East Africa… Yes we must do exactly what the make us do with yellow fever, people enering the country must be checked and screened, they should pay out of there pocket own money….. But honestly just educate the locals, banning is not the worst idea but I think they should rather screen people and isolate those people before allowing them in country…. But we must also educate Zambians…. And as always the opposition is just saying the opposite and not being constructive
@Zed Patriot Ebola is a virtual death sentence. Liberian state President E Johnson when declaring a state of emergency (certain individual freedoms & rights such as movement & association will be lost) said “ebola threatens the very existance of the state/country of Liberia”. On the other hand yellow fever is curable has a vaccine & not contagious by contact whilst AIDS is treatable & not contagious. And you are busy blogging about “feelings” of foreigners. What sort of patriotism is that! Political, security & economic factors? U think ebola will choose between who PF or UPND supporter? What securiy will ebola bring other than break down the already stretched security wings & is it wise to import ebola just because Zambeef has branches & a few zambian…
You guys here who don’t understand Dr Banda are i.d.i.o.s.t.s he is telling you the truth zambia can not do that.
A ban should be imposed on this Canilingus Banda’s to guard his ebola mouth from embarrassing us.
Ba Banda muleikalafye, any way MD s dont make good politicians only Lawyers, Policemen, Pastors sometimes,Teachers , Journalist,Unionist etc make good politicians the world over Economists, Accountants,Doctors, Engineers dont perform when they take over power because they are sometimes not in touch with reality. Thats what killing Dr Banda he is only thinking of opposing forgeting how it Ebola has spread the last few months. Its the first decision at least made by govt opposing it without alternative solution is politiking of the worst kind, any He is a Doctor who is surrounded by economist and other proffesionals in UPND who can see realiality because they think the degrees they have are enough to win peoples votes.Kaya.
The Dr is very right. Just look at Malawi where the MP has donated equipment to detect Ebola.The first African country to put a travel ban is the Pathetic Fools(PF) GRZ.Not very long ago, there were countries that put in place measures to test for HIV before being granted a visa until it was ruled to be illegal.Does anyone remember this?PF are really short of coherent policies.One Minister says one thing and the next opposes it.One wonders whether they have cabinet meetings at all.Remember about the export ban of maize by Sichinga and the next day Lungu overturning the decision. Does anyone remember about the Times of Zambia wages saga between Kambwili and Shamenda? That is PF for you. Nkandu Luo clears the vendors the Cobra brings them back on the street.So PF cadres blogging pls think
All PF cadres blogging here should realise that if the international community had to place a travel ban on people with HIV, very few Zambian Ministers will travel outside Zambia starting from plot one to SG of the PF.Even at the height of the bird flu virus there were no travel bans.Ebola has always been rife in the Congo and the great lakes region but it looks like the Pathetic Fools(PF) are only learning of it today.The trouble is that we never listen to reason as long as it is comming from the opposition. Look at the calamity of Chikwanda’s SI measures and when the opposition tried to reason with him all the PF dunderheads said they were bitter.It took the Western World only one word and Chikwanda had to reverse his decision/Remember the copper exports and now he wants to refund…
Ba UPND always issuing childish amatuer statements. This is the guy who is second-in-command in UPND, who could be Zambia’s vice-president! God help zambia. Evn going to university has failed to change Banda’s dullness. A bunch of i.d.i.o.t.s.
but ni chipuba zoona ichi .
I am a die hard UPND but on this one Dr Banda is playing politics with Zambian life, he is the same mouth that declared that Zambia is not ready to contain the virus if it had to strike our borders please stop politicking and allow this declaration to take root Airlines have been pressured by their countries and one by one they are stopping so fly to the region, who is Banda still trying to please Westerners when they were fighting not to evacuate their own nationals back to the US. PF government is right on this one and SHOULD NOT back down.
There is NO known cure and NO vaccination. Its now when who is thinking of finding a cure maybe by 2016, in the meantime they are faced with some ethical issues on who to test the medicine on. And you people are saying NYOKO NYOKO!!! Wake up ebola is not cholera!
Watson wrong wth UPND & its membaz, the obsession wth power znt gud. The same pipo will b in forefront condemning govt if ebola wz to get to see…
#China,do you watch the news and follow what is happening in west africa or you just want to yap because it is coming from PF? Most airlines have stopped flyng to those countries in west africa which has ebola.A Nigerian man who stopped over in one of those countries to connect a flight to Nigeria died when he arrived in Nigeria and one of the nurses that was involved in helping him at te clinic also died yesturday.Zambia does not have the capacity to handle ebola.Nigeria is the leading economy now in africa but they also dont have the capacity to handle ebola.Zambia and Niger have closed borders for travellers from ebola infested countries and this had nothing to do with WHO regulations of freedom of movement.It has everything to do with the safety of Zambians including you!!Grow up man!
This chap is confused and well done on campaigning UPND……..HH should get rid of such feeble minds.
I have just entered Zambia from Liberia on my way to the bars in Kabwata to mix with the locals and I wasn’t stopped. The announcement was just a political statement with no substance at all.
Dr read the law don’t confuse the people.You left the MoH because of that,The minister was just ok to ban the people
Read latest flip-flop statement from PF government confirming the argument put forward by Dr Canicius Banda. PF’s after thought statement is a sign of what is going on in the head of Sata. One day we will wake up Sata claiming we are in UNIP days.
WHO guidelines my a#@ government has made a proactive move as we look to a better solution to protect our citizens case closed ni zambia first
Some of you sound like you are already suffering from the same….ebola.
The only reason European countries haven’t issued a ban on travellers from the affected countries is because they are better equipped to deal with Ebola whereas Zambia doesn’t . We don’t have proper health facilities really so those moaning think before you talk cos this not rocket science oh I suppose some of you are devoid of logic or at least common sense *smh*. As for Dr Banda please shut up and stop embarrassing yourself I would think you would have done your research by now .